Carte de Visite of Sul Ross

Early photograph of a future governor of Texas

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This carte de visite—a small photograph mounted on a card—was taken in Mobile, Alabama, by photographer Chauncey Barnes in the 1860s. Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross enlisted in the Confederate Army at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. He fought in 135 battles and skirmishes and rose to the rank of brigadier general.

After the war, Ross established a farm near Waco. In 1873, he was elected sheriff of McLennan County. His career in public service included acting as a delegate to the 1875 Constitutional Convention, a term in the state senate, and two terms as governor of Texas (1887–1891). He served as president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). Sul Ross State University in Alpine is named in his honor. 

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Carte de Visite of Sul Ross Artifact from Waco, Texas
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